New rehab centre gets go ahead

A NEW medical day rehabilitation facility will be built at Bendigo Hospital.

Minister for health Martin Foley announced the new designs for the “world-class” building, which he said will offer top quality care and create a “welcoming, safe and healing atmosphere for patients, their carers and families.”

“This significant investment will mean Central Victorians can easily access the high-quality rehabilitation and allied health services they need for their recovery journey, in a modern, state-of-the-art facility,” he said.

The $59.5 million investment will allow for a new hydrotherapy pool, and a facility for outpatient rehabilitation, allied health, dental, mental health and breast screening to operate together in the one building.

It is hoped the new centre will allow for better access to rehabilitation professionals, helping patients recover from accidents, injuries and medical conditions such as heart attack or stroke with a “holistic and patient-centred approach”.

The plans involve the demolition of Bendigo Health’s east and north wing tower buildings, which were built in 1958 and 1972.

Services in these buildings will be relocated to the Phillips and Hyett blocks located at the Bendigo Hospital’s Lucan Street centre.

Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said the new centre is an exciting project for the region’s residents.

“The new day rehabilitation facility is going to be the final piece in the Bendigo Health precinct redevelopment, completing an important project for our local community that we are very excited to see finished,” she said.

Construction of the building is expected to create about 180 jobs and be completed in mid-2023.